Connecting member for the reception of electrical wiring between two lamp fittings in a strip lighting scheme

ABSTRACT

A connecting member for the reception of electrical wiring between two lamp fittings in a strip lighting scheme comprises an arched channel spanning the distance from the interior of one said lamp fitting to the interior of the other and adapted to contain said electrical wiring; two covers through which the arched channel passes and which with interposed seals fit over openings in the top of the lamp fittings; and spring catches on the underside of said arched channel adapted to engage the sides of the openings and to ensure a tight fit of the covers on the openings.

United States Patent Muller et al.

CONNECTING MEMBER FOR THE RECEPTION OF ELECTRICAL WIRING BETWEEN TWO LAMP FITTINGS IN A STRIP LIGHTING SCHEME Inventors: Jupp Muller, Neheim-Husten;

Harald Riegler, Herdringen; Karl Lowenstein, Neheim-Husten, all of Germany Assignee: Trilux-Lenz KG, Neheim-I-lusten,

Germany Filed: Apr. 17, 1973 Appl. No.: 35 I ,896

Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 17, 1972 Germany 2218435 US. Cl 285/194; 52/220; 174/68 C; 240/71 R; 285/319; 285/DIG. 8; 285/DIG.

Int. CL" H02G 3/04; F21V 21/00 Field of Search 285/DIG. 8, 194, 19, 20, 285/319, DIG. 22, 425,157,161, 61, 317, 8; 339/128, 57, 4; 240/7.1 A, 7.1 F, 8.2, 8.3,

153, 9 R, 9 A, 51.11 R, 51.11 A; 174/68 C; 403/10; 52/220-222; 222/4007 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,773,019 8/1930 Wickcrs 285/194 X 2,845,854 8/1958 Kurck 240/9 A X 3,010,378 11/1961 Geocaris 240/9 R X 3,117,509 l/l964 Archer et al.. 240/9 A X 3,222,093 12/1965 Simmons 285/194 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,918,297 4/1965 Germany 285/DIG. 8

Primary ExaminerRichard J. Scanlan, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Moshe 1. Cohen Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Markva & Smith [5 7 ABSTRACT A connecting member for the reception of electrical wiring between two lamp fittings in a strip lighting scheme comprises an arched channel spanning the distance from the interior of one said lamp fitting to the interior of the other and adapted to contain said electrical wiring; two covers through which the arched channel passes and which with interposed seals fit over openings in the top of the lamp fittings; and spring catches on the underside of said arched channel adapted to engage the sides of the openings and to ensure a tight fit of the covers on the openings.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED AUB26 I975 SHEET 1 UP 2 PATENTEU AUGZBlQYS SHEET 2 UP 2 2 vN wN mm mm vm CONNECTING MEMBER FOR THE'RECEPTION OF ELECTRICAL WIRING BETWEEN TWO LAMP FITTINGS IN A STRIP LIGHTING SCHEME BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to a connecting member for the reception of electrical wiring between two lamp fittings in a strip lighting scheme.

In strip lighting schemes it is desirable to take the necessary wiring directly from one lamp fitting to the next in such a way that the fittings remain tightly sealed and that the wires outside the fittings are not exposed under the ceiling. It is also desirable that the lamp fittings should be suitably spaced to prevent the projecting diffuser troughs from pressing the one against the other when they expand. An arrangement comprising a plurality of parts for solving this problem has already been proposed. Another proposal avails itself of an arrangement comprising only one part. However, the plate-shaped connecting member in this latter proposal is not fixed to the two lamp fittings. It is loosely inserted into space left between the top of the two fittings and the ceiling, and projections on the side walls of the connecting member, transversely connected by a spacer, ensure that the two lamp fittings remain suitably separated. The underside of the plate-shaped connecting member is provided with a projecting pad which is intended to seal the opening in the lamp fittings through which the electrical wiring is intended to pass.

A drawback of this arrangement is that the openings in each lamp fitting extend from the top of the fitting into its edge so that part of the length of the sealing strip for sealing the diffuser is exposed unprotected and unsupported. Moreover, the gap in the edge of the fitting reduces its mechanical strength. Furthermore, when the connecting member has been fitted it is difficult to insert the wires because these must be pricked in between the sealing strip and the pad. This manipulation may result in damage being done to the seal, and the insulation of the individual wires may be cut at the edges of the openings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, the object of the invention so to contrive a connecting member of the contemplated kind that the above-mentioned drawbacks are eliminated.

To attain this object the present invention provides a connecting member for the reception of electrical wiring between two lamp fittings in a strip lighting scheme, which is provided between the ceiling and the tops of said lamp fittings, which forms a spacing element between said two lamp fittings, which is fitted with sealing means for sealing openings through which the wiring passes from one said fitting to the other, and which consists of the following integrally shaped parts:

a. an arched channel spanning the distance from the interior of one said lamp fitting to the interior of the other and adapted to contain said electrical wiring;

b. two covers through which said arched channel passes and which with interposed seals fit over said openings in the top of said lamp fittings; and

c. spring catches on the underside of said arched channel adapted to engage the sides of said openings and to ensure a tight fit of said covers on said openings.

These features in combination permit a firm and durable connection between two lamp fittings in a strip lighting scheme to be provided because in the first plae the covers forming part of the connecting member are designed to snap into engagement over the openings in the two lamp fittings, so that the proposed connecting member cannot shift. Secondly the openings are securely closed by the covers and the interposed seals. Moreover, the openings which are designed in the form of knock-out openings are provided only in the tops of the lamp fittings and the edge of the lamp fittings are not weakened. At the same time the seals are not exposed and are properly supported all-round. The arched channel of the connecting member provides a fixed duct of satisfactory cross section for the accommodation of the electrical wires from the interior of one fitting to the interior of the other fitting. The several individual wires can be very conveniently laid after the connecting member has been secured to the lamp fittings. Neither the insulations of the wires nor functional parts of the seal are liable to be damaged.

Furthermore, the connecting member proposed'by the invention, being an integral part, can be produced in one operation. It is so designed that the suitable die or mold can be cheaply produced.

A preferred embodiment of a connecting member as proposed by the invention comprises one of said spring catches in respect of each of said covers, said spring catch being adapted to snap into engagement with the underside of the edge of a recess in said opening, and abutments likewise engaging said openings being provided on said cover alongside said catch for fixing the spacing of said lamp fittings.

The arched channel is preferably constructed to rest on a supporting face formed at the edge of each of said lamp fittings. In this way it is attained that on its side having no spring catch the cover is urged downwardly, i.e., against the edge of the opening, by the upwardly directed supporting force of the supporting face.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section of a connecting member according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross section taken on the line II II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view from above, of the connecting member;

FIG. 4 is a view from below;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section of the arrangement when fitted;

FIG. 6 is the left hand end in FIG. 5 seen from below, and

FIG. 7 is a view from above illustrating the shape of the opening in the lighting fitting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The connecting member is an integrally shaped synthetic plastics molding or a diecast zinc or like part. To facilitate removal from the die cavity the arch of the channel 20 is circulanIn cross section a rectangular duct 21 is formed which ends inside the lighting fitting at 21a. The cross section of the channel is so contrived that individual wires can be easily pushed through.

At each end the channel arch passes through a cover 24 which is provided with a seal 28. Moreover a spring catch 26 is formed on the underside of each cover 24. A stiffening web 27 supports each spring catch from the cover. The spring catch has a sloping face which acts like a ramp which causes the catch to be compressed during insertion and then to snap into engagement by virtue of a projecting lip on the spring catch engaging the underside of the edge of an opening 13 (FIG. 5) in the lamp fitting. The end of the cover is supported by a flange 25 and the cover is located by this flange in conjunction with abutments 29 bearing against the sides of the opening.

FIG. 5 shows the connecting member in position. The two lamp fittings are indicated at and have upward boss-like bays 11 which bear against the ceiling, thereby creating space between the top of the lamp fitting and the ceiling for the accommodation of the arched channel 20. The opening 13 in the top of each lamp fitting is contained in a lower part 12 of the fitting. 15 are the edges of the two fittings which must provide a safety clearance to allow for expansion of the two plastics diffusers 17 which are tightened against sealing strips 16 by fastening means not shown in the drawings.

Between the edges 15 and the recessed portions 12 bearing faces 14 are formed adapted to support the channel arch 20 at a level at which a satisfactory pressure between the flange 24a of the cover and the seal 28 is ensured.

For the reception of the spring catches 26 the openings 13 are formed with recesses 13a. Incidentally these openings are of the knock-out type which are removed when required and the lamp fittings form part of a strip. When individually mounted the openings remain closed to keep out the dust.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination a. two spaced lamp fittings, each said lamp fitting having an opening to the interior thereof;

b. An enclosed, elongated, rigid channel member having an arched configuration spanning the distance from the opening to the interior of one said lamp fitting to the opening to the interior of the other lamp fitting, said channel member including a passage for containing electrical wiring;

c. two covers integral with said channel member, one adjacent each end of said channel member, closing said openings to the interior of said lamp fittings, each cover extending about said channel member and in a plane transverse to the adjacent portion of said channel member end;

d. annular sealing means on one surface of each of said covers and about said channel member forming a seal about each of said openings and between said covers and said lamp fittings; and

e. a locking means extending from said channel member adjacent each end thereof and adapted to engage the interior surface of each lamp fitting at the side of said opening to ensure a tight seal between a cover and a lamp fitting about said opening;

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein each said locking means comprises a spring catch.

3. The combination as defined in claim 1 further comprising an abutment means extending from said channel member adjacent each end of said channel member, each abutment means being arranged for engaging the edge of said opening in one of said lamp fittings whereby said lamp fittings are maintained spaced at a predetermined distance from each other. 

1. In combination a. two spaced lamp fittings, each said lamp fitting having an opening to the interior thereof; b. An enclosed, elongated, rigid channel member having an arched configuration spanning the distance from the opening to the interior of one said lamp fitting to the opening to the interior of the other lamp fitting, said channel member including a passage for containing electrical wiring; c. two covers integral with said channel member, one adjacent each end of said channel member, closing said openings to the interior of said lamp fittings, each cover extending about said channel member and in a plane transverse to the adjacent portion of said channel member end; d. annular sealing means on one surface of each of said covers and about said channel member forming a seal about each of said openings and between said covers and said lamp fittings; and e. a locking means extending from said channel member adjacent each end thereof and adapted to engage the interior surface of each lamp fitting at the side of said opening to ensure a tight seal between a cover and a lamp fitting about said opening.
 2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein each said locking means comprises a spring catch.
 3. The combination as defined in claim 1 further comprising an abutment means extending from said channel member adjacent each end of said channel member, each abutment means being arranged for engaging the edge of said opening in one of said lamp fittings whereby said lamp fittings are maintained spaced at a predetermined distance from each other. 